{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/10.1-204.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/10.1-204.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/10.1-204.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/10.1-204.html"}],"law_id":87016,"edition_id":1,"section_id":87016,"structure_id":14736,"section_number":"10.1-204","catch_line":"Statewide system of trails","history":"1971, Ex. Sess., c. 136, \u00a7 10-21.3:1; 1972, c. 413; 1984, cc. 739, 750; 1988, c. 891; 1993, c. 755; 2012, c. 598.","full_text":"A\n\nAs used in this section, unless the context requires a different meaning:\n\t\t\t“Other power-driven mobility device” means any mobility device powered by batteries, fuel, or other engines, whether or not designed primarily for use by individuals with mobility disabilities, that is used by individuals with mobility disabilities for the purpose of locomotion, including golf cars, electronic personal assistive mobility devices (EPAMDs), or any mobility device designed to operate in areas without defined pedestrian routes, but that is not a wheelchair within the meaning of this section.\n\t\t\t“Wheelchair” means a manually-operated or power-driven device designed primarily for use by an individual with a mobility disability for the main purpose of locomotion.B\n\nThe Department is authorized to enter into such agreements and to acquire interests as may be necessary to establish, maintain, protect, and regulate a statewide system of trails in order to provide for the ever-increasing outdoor recreational needs of an expanding population, and in order to promote public access to, travel within, and enjoyment and appreciation of the outdoor, natural, and remote areas of the Commonwealth. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Department shall not develop, establish, or extend any system of trails, including linear parks or greenways, in any county having the county manager form of government, unless it has submitted to the appropriate local agency, commission, or board, a plan of development, where such plan is required by local ordinance, for the proposed system of trails.C\n\nThe statewide system of trails shall be composed of:1\n\nScenic trails so located as to provide maximum potential for the appreciation of natural areas and for the conservation and enjoyment of the significant scenic, historic, natural, ecological, geological, or cultural qualities of the areas through which such trails may pass;2\n\nRecreation trails to provide a variety of outdoor recreation uses in or reasonably accessible to urban areas; and3\n\nConnecting trails or side trails to provide additional points of public access to recreation trails or scenic trails, or to provide connections between such trails, or to provide access from urban areas to major outdoor recreation sites.D\n\nEach trail shall be limited to foot, horse, or nonmotorized bicycle use, or a combination thereof, as deemed appropriate by the Department. The use of motorized vehicles by the public shall be prohibited along any of the scenic, recreation, or connecting or side trails. This statewide system of trails may contain, at the discretion of the Department, camping sites, shelters, and related public-use and management facilities, which will not substantially interfere with the nature and purposes of the trails.E\n\nNothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the Department from (i) allowing the use of wheelchairs or other power-driven mobility devices by disabled individuals on the statewide system of trails or (ii) requiring a user of an other power-driven mobility device to provide a credible assurance that the mobility device is required because of the person’s disability, in accordance with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (P.L. 101-336, 104 Stat. 327) and other applicable state and federal laws.\n\t\t\tNotwithstanding any provision to the contrary, the Department is authorized to permit, in accordance with applicable state and federal laws, the operation of electric power-assisted bicycles and electric personal assistive mobility devices as defined in § 46.2-100 on any bicycle path or trail designated by the Department for such use.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":311561,"text":"As used in this section, unless the context requires a different meaning:\n\t\t\t“Other power-driven mobility device” means any mobility device powered by batteries, fuel, or other engines, whether or not designed primarily for use by individuals with mobility disabilities, that is used by individuals with mobility disabilities for the purpose of locomotion, including golf cars, electronic personal assistive mobility devices (EPAMDs), or any mobility device designed to operate in areas without defined pedestrian routes, but that is not a wheelchair within the meaning of this section.\n\t\t\t“Wheelchair” means a manually-operated or power-driven device designed primarily for use by an individual with a mobility disability for the main purpose of locomotion.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":311562,"text":"The Department is authorized to enter into such agreements and to acquire interests as may be necessary to establish, maintain, protect, and regulate a statewide system of trails in order to provide for the ever-increasing outdoor recreational needs of an expanding population, and in order to promote public access to, travel within, and enjoyment and appreciation of the outdoor, natural, and remote areas of the Commonwealth. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Department shall not develop, establish, or extend any system of trails, including linear parks or greenways, in any county having the county manager form of government, unless it has submitted to the appropriate local agency, commission, or board, a plan of development, where such plan is required by local ordinance, for the proposed system of trails.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":311563,"text":"The statewide system of trails shall be composed of:","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"C1"},"3":{"id":311564,"text":"Scenic trails so located as to provide maximum potential for the appreciation of natural areas and for the conservation and enjoyment of the significant scenic, historic, natural, ecological, geological, or cultural qualities of the areas through which such trails may pass;","type":"section","prefixes":["C","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"C1","prefix_anchor":"C1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"C2"},"4":{"id":311565,"text":"Recreation trails to provide a variety of outdoor recreation uses in or reasonably accessible to urban areas; and","type":"section","prefixes":["C","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"C2","prefix_anchor":"C2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C1","next_prefix":"C3"},"5":{"id":311566,"text":"Connecting trails or side trails to provide additional points of public access to recreation trails or scenic trails, or to provide connections between such trails, or to provide access from urban areas to major outdoor recreation sites.","type":"section","prefixes":["C","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"C3","prefix_anchor":"C3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C2","next_prefix":"D"},"6":{"id":311567,"text":"Each trail shall be limited to foot, horse, or nonmotorized bicycle use, or a combination thereof, as deemed appropriate by the Department. The use of motorized vehicles by the public shall be prohibited along any of the scenic, recreation, or connecting or side trails. This statewide system of trails may contain, at the discretion of the Department, camping sites, shelters, and related public-use and management facilities, which will not substantially interfere with the nature and purposes of the trails.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C3","next_prefix":"E"},"7":{"id":311568,"text":"Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the Department from (i) allowing the use of wheelchairs or other power-driven mobility devices by disabled individuals on the statewide system of trails or (ii) requiring a user of an other power-driven mobility device to provide a credible assurance that the mobility device is required because of the person’s disability, in accordance with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (P.L. 101-336, 104 Stat. 327) and other applicable state and federal laws.\n\t\t\tNotwithstanding any provision to the contrary, the Department is authorized to permit, in accordance with applicable state and federal laws, the operation of electric power-assisted bicycles and electric personal assistive mobility devices as defined in § 46.2-100 on any bicycle path or trail designated by the Department for such use.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14736,"edition_id":1,"name":"State Parks","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":14710,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:49:37","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:49:37","permalink":{"id":143615,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14736,"identifier":"1","token":"10.1\/I\/2\/1","url":"\/10.1\/I\/2\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":14710,"edition_id":1,"name":"Parks and Recreation","identifier":"2","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12893,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:49:27","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:49:27","permalink":{"id":143613,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14710,"identifier":"2","token":"10.1\/I\/2","url":"\/10.1\/I\/2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12893,"edition_id":1,"name":"Activities Administered by the Department of Conservation and Recreation","identifier":"I","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12740,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:59","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:59","permalink":{"id":143315,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12893,"identifier":"I","token":"10.1\/I","url":"\/10.1\/I\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12740,"edition_id":1,"name":"Conservation","identifier":"10.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","permalink":{"id":143313,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12740,"identifier":"10.1","token":"10.1","url":"\/10.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":60384,"structure_id":14736,"section_number":"10.1-200","catch_line":"Duties related to parks and outdoor recreation; additional powers","url":"\/10.1-200\/","token":"10.1\/I\/2\/1\/10.1-200","metadata":false},{"id":56518,"structure_id":14736,"section_number":"10.1-200.01","catch_line":"Lyme disease signage","url":"\/10.1-200.01\/","token":"10.1\/I\/2\/1\/10.1-200.01","metadata":false},{"id":82737,"structure_id":14736,"section_number":"10.1-200.1","catch_line":"State park master planning","url":"\/10.1-200.1\/","token":"10.1\/I\/2\/1\/10.1-200.1","metadata":false},{"id":65516,"structure_id":14736,"section_number":"10.1-200.2","catch_line":"Littering in state parks; civil penalty","url":"\/10.1-200.2\/","token":"10.1\/I\/2\/1\/10.1-200.2","metadata":false},{"id":64528,"structure_id":14736,"section_number":"10.1-200.3","catch_line":"Admittance and parking in state parks; prohibitions; civil penalty","url":"\/10.1-200.3\/","token":"10.1\/I\/2\/1\/10.1-200.3","metadata":false},{"id":80467,"structure_id":14736,"section_number":"10.1-201","catch_line":"Acquisition of lands of scenic beauty, recreational utility or historical interest","url":"\/10.1-201\/","token":"10.1\/I\/2\/1\/10.1-201","metadata":false},{"id":56447,"structure_id":14736,"section_number":"10.1-202","catch_line":"Gifts, funds, and fees designated for state parks; establishment of funds","url":"\/10.1-202\/","token":"10.1\/I\/2\/1\/10.1-202","metadata":false},{"id":58975,"structure_id":14736,"section_number":"10.1-202.1","catch_line":"Golden Passport established; free entry into state parks","url":"\/10.1-202.1\/","token":"10.1\/I\/2\/1\/10.1-202.1","metadata":false},{"id":71638,"structure_id":14736,"section_number":"10.1-202.2","catch_line":"Disabled Veteran's Passport established; free entry into state parks and discounted services","url":"\/10.1-202.2\/","token":"10.1\/I\/2\/1\/10.1-202.2","metadata":false},{"id":67571,"structure_id":14736,"section_number":"10.1-202.3","catch_line":"Virginia National Guard Passport established; free entry into and parking at state parks","url":"\/10.1-202.3\/","token":"10.1\/I\/2\/1\/10.1-202.3","metadata":false},{"id":64297,"structure_id":14736,"section_number":"10.1-203","catch_line":"Establishment, protection and maintenance of Appalachian Trail","url":"\/10.1-203\/","token":"10.1\/I\/2\/1\/10.1-203","metadata":false},{"id":87016,"structure_id":14736,"section_number":"10.1-204","catch_line":"Statewide system of trails","url":"\/10.1-204\/","token":"10.1\/I\/2\/1\/10.1-204","metadata":false},{"id":56839,"structure_id":14736,"section_number":"10.1-204.1","catch_line":"(Expires January 1, 2027) State Trails Advisory Committee established; report","url":"\/10.1-204.1\/","token":"10.1\/I\/2\/1\/10.1-204.1","metadata":false},{"id":80845,"structure_id":14736,"section_number":"10.1-205","catch_line":"Management of False Cape State Park","url":"\/10.1-205\/","token":"10.1\/I\/2\/1\/10.1-205","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":64297,"structure_id":14736,"section_number":"10.1-203","catch_line":"Establishment, protection and maintenance of Appalachian Trail","url":"\/10.1-203\/","token":"10.1\/I\/2\/1\/10.1-203","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":56839,"structure_id":14736,"section_number":"10.1-204.1","catch_line":"(Expires January 1, 2027) State Trails Advisory Committee established; report","url":"\/10.1-204.1\/","token":"10.1\/I\/2\/1\/10.1-204.1","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/10.1-204\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 5 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1972, chapter 413; in 1984, chapters 739 and 750; in 1988, chapter 891; in 1993, chapter 755; in 2012, chapter 598<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":56839,"section_number":"10.1-204.1","catch_line":"(Expires January 1, 2027) State Trails Advisory Committee established; report","order_by":null,"url":"\/10.1-204.1\/"},{"id":83630,"section_number":"46.2-903","catch_line":"Riding or driving vehicles on sidewalks; exceptions","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-903\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":82691,"section_number":"46.2-100","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-100\/"}],"permalink":{"id":143661,"object_type":"law","relational_id":87016,"identifier":"10.1-204","token":"10.1\/I\/2\/1\/10.1-204","url":"\/10.1-204\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/10.1-204\/","token":"10.1\/I\/2\/1\/10.1-204","dublin_core":{"Title":"Statewide system of trails","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 10.1-204","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> As used in this section, unless the context requires a different meaning:\n\t\t\t“Other power-driven mobility device<\/span>” means any mobility device powered by batteries, fuel, or other engines, whether or not designed primarily for use by individuals with mobility disabilities, that is used by individuals with mobility disabilities for the purpose of locomotion, including golf cars, electronic personal assistive mobility devices (EPAMDs), or any mobility device designed to operate in areas without defined pedestrian routes, but that is not a wheelchair<\/span> within the meaning of this section.\n\t\t\t“Wheelchair<\/span>” means a manually-operated or power-driven device designed primarily for use by an individual with a mobility disability for the main purpose of locomotion. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> The Department<\/span> is authorized to enter into such agreements and to acquire interests as may be necessary to establish, maintain, protect, and regulate a statewide system of trails in order<\/span> to provide for the ever-increasing outdoor recreational needs of an expanding population, and in order<\/span> to promote public access to, travel within, and enjoyment and appreciation of the outdoor, natural, and remote areas of the Commonwealth. Notwithstanding any other provision of law<\/span>, the Department<\/span> shall not develop, establish, or extend any system of trails, including linear parks or greenways, in any county having the county manager form of government, unless it has submitted to the appropriate local agency, commission, or board, a plan of development, where such plan is required by local ordinance<\/span>, for the proposed system of trails. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> The statewide system of trails shall be composed of: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Scenic trails so located as to provide maximum potential for the appreciation of natural areas and for the conservation and enjoyment of the significant scenic, historic, natural, ecological, geological, or cultural qualities of the areas through which such trails may pass; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Recreation trails to provide a variety of outdoor recreation uses in or reasonably accessible to urban areas; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Connecting trails or side trails to provide additional points of public access to recreation trails or scenic trails, or to provide connections between such trails, or to provide access from urban areas to major outdoor recreation sites. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> Each trail shall be limited to foot, horse, or nonmotorized bicycle use, or a combination thereof, as deemed appropriate by the Department<\/span>. The use of motorized vehicles by the public shall be prohibited along any of the scenic, recreation, or connecting or side trails. This statewide system of trails may contain, at the discretion of the Department<\/span>, camping sites, shelters, and related public-use and management facilities, which will not substantially interfere with the nature and purposes of the trails. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the Department<\/span> from (i) allowing the use of wheelchairs<\/span> or other power-driven mobility devices<\/span> by disabled individuals on the statewide system of trails or (ii) requiring a user of an other power-driven mobility device<\/span> to provide a credible assurance that the mobility device is required because of the person’s disability, in accordance with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (P.L. 101-336, 104 Stat. 327) and other applicable state and federal laws<\/span>.\n\t\t\tNotwithstanding any provision to the contrary, the Department<\/span> is authorized to permit, in accordance with applicable state and federal laws<\/span>, the operation of electric power-assisted bicycles and electric personal assistive mobility devices as defined in § 46.2-100<\/a> on any bicycle path or trail designated by the Department<\/span> for such use. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nSTATEWIDE SYSTEM OF TRAILS (\u00a7 10.1-204)\n\nA. As used in this section, unless the context requires a different meaning:\n\t\t\t“Other power-driven mobility device” means any mobility device\npowered by batteries, fuel, or other engines, whether or not designed primarily\nfor use by individuals with mobility disabilities, that is used by individuals\nwith mobility disabilities for the purpose of locomotion, including golf cars,\nelectronic personal assistive mobility devices (EPAMDs), or any mobility device\ndesigned to operate in areas without defined pedestrian routes, but that is not\na wheelchair within the meaning of this section.\n\t\t\t“Wheelchair” means a manually-operated or power-driven device\ndesigned primarily for use by an individual with a mobility disability for the\nmain purpose of locomotion.\n\nB. The Department is authorized to enter into such agreements and to acquire\ninterests as may be necessary to establish, maintain, protect, and regulate a\nstatewide system of trails in order to provide for the ever-increasing outdoor\nrecreational needs of an expanding population, and in order to promote public\naccess to, travel within, and enjoyment and appreciation of the outdoor,\nnatural, and remote areas of the Commonwealth. Notwithstanding any other\nprovision of law, the Department shall not develop, establish, or extend any\nsystem of trails, including linear parks or greenways, in any county having the\ncounty manager form of government, unless it has submitted to the appropriate\nlocal agency, commission, or board, a plan of development, where such plan is\nrequired by local ordinance, for the proposed system of trails.\n\nC. The statewide system of trails shall be composed of:\n\n 1. Scenic trails so located as to provide maximum potential for the\n appreciation of natural areas and for the conservation and enjoyment of the\n significant scenic, historic, natural, ecological, geological, or cultural\n qualities of the areas through which such trails may pass;\n\n 2. Recreation trails to provide a variety of outdoor recreation uses in or\n reasonably accessible to urban areas; and\n\n 3. Connecting trails or side trails to provide additional points of public\n access to recreation trails or scenic trails, or to provide connections\n between such trails, or to provide access from urban areas to major outdoor\n recreation sites.\n\nD. Each trail shall be limited to foot, horse, or nonmotorized bicycle use, or a\ncombination thereof, as deemed appropriate by the Department. The use of\nmotorized vehicles by the public shall be prohibited along any of the scenic,\nrecreation, or connecting or side trails. This statewide system of trails may\ncontain, at the discretion of the Department, camping sites, shelters, and\nrelated public-use and management facilities, which will not substantially\ninterfere with the nature and purposes of the trails.\n\nE. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the Department from\n(i) allowing the use of wheelchairs or other power-driven mobility devices by\ndisabled individuals on the statewide system of trails or (ii) requiring a user\nof an other power-driven mobility device to provide a credible assurance that\nthe mobility device is required because of the person’s disability, in\naccordance with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (P.L.\n101-336, 104 Stat. 327) and other applicable state and federal laws.\n\t\t\tNotwithstanding any provision to the contrary, the Department is authorized\nto permit, in accordance with applicable state and federal laws, the operation\nof electric power-assisted bicycles and electric personal assistive mobility\ndevices as defined in § 46.2-100 on any bicycle path or trail designated by\nthe Department for such use.\n\nHISTORY: 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 136, \u00a7 10-21.3:1; 1972, c. 413; 1984, cc. 739,\n750; 1988, c. 891; 1993, c. 755; 2012, c. 598.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}